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the original addressee of the double card, to cover up the message on the original portion, or to send statements of account.

(iii) Double cards must be prepared so that the address on the reply portion is on the inside when the double card is mailed.

(iv) Plain stickers or seals or a single wire stitch may be used to fasten the edges, provided they are so fixed that the inner folds of the cards can be readily examined.

(v) Enclosures are prohibited.

(4) Additions, attachments and other alterations to single and double postal and post cards. The users of both single and double postal and post cards which conform to the specifications stated in subparagraphs (2) (i) and (2) (ii) of this paragraph must comply with the following limitations:

(i) The face of the card may be divided by a vertical line, the left half to be used for the message and the right half for the address only.

(ii) The message on a single card, or on the first portion of a double card, may occupy the space to the left of the vertical line and the entire back of the card.

(iii) Labels may be affixed by adhesive for the purpose of showing the address and the return address. Cards bearing other attachments are nonmailable as postal cards or post cards.

(iv) Numbers used for accounting purposes may be shown on a shaded background below the address. Holes which do not eliminate any letters or numbers may be punched in either the address or message portion of the card. A vertical tearing guide may divide the face of the card. However, mailing of cards having one or more of these four characteristics must meet all of the following conditions:

(a) The mailing must consist of not less than 200 cards which are identical as to size and weight.

(b) The addresses on the cards must include ZIP Code numbers.

(c) Postage must be paid in cash by permit imprints (see Part 144 of this chapter); by meter stamps (see Part 143 of this chapter); or by precanceled stamps (see Part 142 of this chapter).

(d) The mailer must separate the cards to the finest extent possible and sack them in the manner prescribed by § 134.4 (c).

(v) It recommended that all cards having a thickness less than 0.0085 of an inch meet all of the conditions in sub

paragraphs (4) (iv) (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this paragraph.

(5) Cards other than postal and post cards. Matter which is in the form of a single or double card but which does not conform to the specifications for a single or double post card stated in subparagraphs (2) (i) and (2) (ii) of this paragraph is not a single or double post card within the meaning of title 39, United States Code, sections 4251(c) and 4253 (a) (3), and may not be mailed at the first-class postage rate for post cards. Nonconforming mailable matter in the form of single or double cards is not subject to the rules and restrictions provided in subparagraph (3) and subparagraph (4) of this paragraph; it is subject when mailed to postage at the first-class letter rate or at the applicable third-class rate according to its classification as first- or third-class matter; and it must not bear the words "Post Card" or "Double Post Card". Single or double cards conforming to the specifications stated in subparagraphs (2) (i) and (2) (ii) of this paragraph which are entirely in print, and which do not bear the words "Post Card" or "Double Post Card", if otherwise mailable, may at the option of the mailer be mailed at the applicable third-class postage rate instead of the first-class postage rate for post cards. See § 131.3 and § 134.3 of this chapter for a listing of which physical characteristics cause cards of any kind to be nonmailable.

(6) Postal and post cards as enclosures. Stamps on postal and post cards enclosed in outer wrappers may not apply as postage on the mailing piece.

(c) Business reply mail—(1) Purpose. Specially printed business reply cards, envelopes, cartons, and labels may be distributed for use by mailer in sending mail to the distributor without prepayment of postage.

(2) Permit. (i) A permit to distribute business reply cards, envelopes, cartons, and labels is required. An application on Form 3614, "Application to Distribute Business Reply Cards, Envelopes, and Labels", must be submitted at the post office where the mail will be returned. There is no charge for the permit. If matter bearing the business reply imprint is distributed from a central office to be returned to branches or dealers in other cities, one permit obtained from the post office where the central office

is located may be used to cover all the business reply mail.

(ii) On receipt of the application, the postmaster will complete the permit portion of the form and deliver it to the applicant. The application portion of the form will be filed in the post office by the permit number. Permits issued at each post office will be numbered consecutively starting with No. 1 for the first permit. Each post office will keep an alphabetical card record of each permit.

(3) Postage. (i) Postage is collected on each piece of business reply mail at the time it is delivered. Postage due stamps for the amount due will be affixed to the mail or to Form 3582-A, "Postage Due Bill." The stamps will be canceled and delivered to the addressee with the mail when he pays the amount due. Business reply mail will not be mixed with other mail in direct packages or sacks for individuals or concerns.

(ii) The amount to be collected, which may not include fees for any special services, is computed as follows:

(a) Post cards. The rate for post cards on air post cards, whichever is applicable, plus 2 cents each. (See § 131.1 and § 136.1 of this chapter.) Cards that do not conform to the specifications for post cards (see § 131.2(b)(1)) are subject to the postage chargeable under subparagraph (3) (i) (b) of this paragraph.

(b) Envelopes and packages. (1) Weight of piece not over two ounces; First-class or airmail rate of postage, whichever is applicable, plus 2 cents each. (See §§ 131.1 and 136.1 of this chapter.)

(2) Weight of piece over two ounces: First-class or airmail rate, whichever is applicable, plus 5 cents each. (See §§ 131.1 and 136.1 of this chapter.)

(4) Form of imprint address. Any photographic, mechanical, or electronic process, or any combination of such processes, other than handwriting, typewriting, or handstamping, may be used to prepare the address side of business reply cards, envelopes, cartons, or labels. The address side must be prepared both as to style and content in one of the following forms without the addition of any matter other than a return address:

Style and content for domestic airmail. Use alternating red and blue parallelograms for the border.

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(5) Distribution. Business reply cards, envelopes, cartons, and labels may be distributed:

(i) In any quantity for return by surface or airmail. When prepared by the distributor for return by surface mail, business reply mail may not be accepted for return by air unless postage is fully prepaid at the airmail rate.

(ii) To any post office in the United States and its Territories and possessions, including military post offices overseas; except in the Canal Zone, where they may not be returned without prepayment of postage. They should not be sent to any foreign country.

(iii) In any manner except by deposit

ing in receptacles provided by patrons for receipt of mail.

(6) Responsibility of distributor. The distributor guarantees payment on delivery of postage on returned business reply mail. Any concern distributing business reply cards, envelopes, cartons or labels under one permit for return to its branches or dealers, guarantees to pay postage on any returns refused by any authorized addressee.

[26 F.R. 11539, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 32 F.R. 2703, Feb. 9, 1967; 32 F.R. 15021, Oct. 31, 1967; 32 F.R. 15587, Nov. 9, 1967; 33 F.R. 12279, Aug. 31, 1968. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 131.3 Weight and size limits.

(a) Weight. Each piece may weigh not more than 70 pounds.

(b) Size. Each piece may measure not to exceed 100 inches in length and girth combined. See § 135.3(b) of this chapter for instructions on how to measure.

(c) Shape, ratio, and sealing for envelopes, cards, and self-mailers. The following standards apply to envelopes, cards, and self-mailers having postage paid thereon at the first-class postage rate:

(1) Pieces less than 3 inches in width (height) or 44 inches in length are nonmailable.

(2) Pieces having shapes other than rectangular are nonmailable.

(3) Pieces having a ratio of width (height) to length of less than 1 to 1.414 (1 to the square root of 2) are not recommended.

(4) Pieces which are not sealed or secured on all four edges so that they may be handled by machines are not recommended.

(5) Cards having a thickness of less than 0.006 of an inch are nonmailable. [33 FR. 12280, Aug. 31, 1968]

§ 131.4 Payment of postage.
Postage may be paid by:
(a) Adhesive stamps.

(b) Stamped cards or envelopes.

(c) Meter stamps.

(d) Permit imprints.

[26 F.R. 11541, Dec. 6, 1961. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 131.5 Mail sent by members of U.S. Armed Forces.

(a) Letters sent postage collect. Letters sent by soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines in the United States military service located in the United States or other places where United States domes

tic mail service operates, addressed to places in the United States, may be dispatched for collection on delivery, under the following conditions:

(1) The address side of the letter must be marked "Soldier's Letter," "Airman's Letter," "Sailor's Letter," or "Marine's Letter," as appropriate.

(2) Under the marking, the letter must bear the signature and official designation, either with facsimile handstamp or in writing, of a commissioned officer to whose command the soldier or airman belongs, or of a surgeon or chaplain at a hospital where he is; and in the Navy and Marine service, of a commissioned officer attached to the vessel on which the member is serving or an officer commanding a hospital or detachment ashore where he is.

(3) Postage, at single rate for each ounce or fraction, is collected on delivery.

(b) Letters sent free. (1) Any personal letter mail, including post cards, in the usual and generally accepted form, and sound-recorded communications having the character of personal correspondence, may be mailed free of postage under following conditions: (i) When mailed by:

(a) Any member of the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard) at any U.S. military post office in Vietnam and contiguous waters, as defined by regulations of the Department of Defense.

(b) Any member of the U.S. Armed Forces hospitalized in a facility under the jurisdiction of the Armed Forces of the United States as the result of disease or injury incurred as a result of military service or operations in Vietnam and contiguous waters, and air space thereover.

(ii) When mailed to:

(a) Any place within the United States, including Puerto Rico or any other possession of the United States, where the domestic mail service operates. (b) Any Army and Air Force or Navy post office.

(iii) When such mail bears:

(a) In the upper right corner of the address side, in the handwriting of the sender, the word "FREE", and

(b) In the upper left corner of the address side the name of the sender, his service number, grade, and complete military address.

(2) Letter mail, post cards, and soundrecorded communications sent free under the conditions in subparagraph (1) of

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(a) Vessels not regular mail carriers. Letters for delivery in the United States, carried by vessels not regularly employed in carrying the mail, are charged double rate of postage, to cover the fee paid to the vessel. The postage may be collected at the office of delivery or prepaid with United States postage stamps.

(b) Vessels operating over post road. Letters and packages carried from one port to another in the United States over a water route that is wholly a post road by law, in a private ship or vessel, are charged single rate of postage. If part of the water route is not a post road, double rates of postage are charged.

(c) Delivery by the master of a vessel. Wholly unpaid printed matter delivered to the post office by the master of a vessel arriving from a foreign port and not regularly engaged in carrying mail, is

Category 1

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Marking of paid reading matter. Cancellation of second-class privileges.

AUTHORITY: The provisions of this Part 132 issued under R.S. 161, as amended, sec. 7, 74 Stat. 704, 705; 5 U.S.C. 301, 18 U.S.C. 1733, 1734, 39 U.S.C. 501, 505, 2302, 4058, 43514370.

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than

(1) For delivery of publications other weeklies at office or original entry by its letter carriers.

(2) For delivery of publications other than weeklies by the letter carriers at a different post office than the office of original entry within the delivery limits of which the headquarters or general business office of the publisher is located (except that the pound rates from the office of mailing apply if they are higher)

(3) For delivery of weekly publications to addressees residing within the county where published from all offices within or without the county including the office of original entry. (4) For delivery of all publications, of whatever frequency, through post office boxes or general delivery, and for delivery by rural or star route carriers, at an office of original entry which has letter carrier service.

(5) For delivery of all publications of whatever frequency, by whatever services are provided, at an office of original entry which does not have letter carrier service.

(6) For delivery of all publications, of whatever frequency to addressees residing within the county where published, from all offices within or without the county, other than the office of original entry.

Rates

Publications issued more frequently than weekly: 1 cent per copy

Publications issued less frequently than weekly:

Copies weighing 2 ounces or less: 1 cent per copy

Copies weighing more than 2 ounces: 2 cents per copy

1.4 cents per pound or fraction of a pound. (This rate will be changed to 1.5 cents beginning Jan. 1, 1970.) 0.2 cent per minimum charge per piece.

NOTE: The 1.4 cents per pound and 2 cents minimum charge also apply to copies of publications of whatever frequency mailed at an office of additional entry located within the county where published and entered, to addressees residing within the county, for delivery at all offices within or without the county including the office of additional entry by whatever delivery services are provided.

(2) Independent cities. Each publication having an original entry at an incorporated city which is situated entirely within a county or which is situated contiguous to one or more counties in the same State, but which is politically independent of such courty or counties, shall be considered within and a part of the county with which it is principally contiguous and copies mailed into that county are chargeable with postage at the rates in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph. Where more than one county is involved, the publisher shall select the principal county and notify the postmaster.

(b) Rates charged on copies for delivery outside the county where published and entered, and on copies mailed at an office of additional entry located outside the county where published and entered.

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(2) Special rate publications. (i) Rate per pound or fraction of a pound:

1.2

1.3

.7

.8

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(ii) The zone rates in subparagraph (2) (i) of this paragraph are applicable to issues in which the advertising portion exceeds ten percent. Issues containing 10 percent or less advertising shall be computed at the nonadvertising rate in subparagraph (2) (i) of this paragraph or the minimum charge per piece, whichever is greater.

(iii) The rates in subparagraph (2) (i) of this paragraph apply only to publications issued by and in the interest of the following organizations and associations not organized for profit and none of the net income of which benefits any private stockholder or individual, when specially authorized by the Department: (See § 132-3 (c) (1).)

(a) Religious.

(b) Educational.

(c) Scientific.

(d) Philanthropic. (e) Agricultural.

(f) Labor.
(g) Veterans.

(h) Fraternal.

(i) Associations of rural electric cooperatives.

(j) The official highway or development agency of a State (Limited to one publication that meets all the requirements of § 132.2(b) and that contains no advertising).

(k) Program announcements or guides published by an educational radio or television agency of a State or political subdivision thereof or by a nonprofit educational radio or television station.

(3) Classroom publications. Publications which are devoted to promoting the science of agriculture and when the total number of copies of the publication furnished during any 12-month period to subscribers residing in rural areas consists of at least 70 per centum of the total number of copies distributed by any

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